Hack attack prompts Spotify to issue password reset plea to users

As Spotify continues to take some heat over a security breach that left millions of users' personal information at risk, the company is also calling on its users to change their passwords. In order to spur users forward on maintaining their online security, the company has issued a password reset plea in the hopes of helping to keep personal information and data safe from third-party hackers.

In detailing the information the company has concerning the attack, Spotify Chief Technology Officer Oskar Stal said that while he is looking for users to change their passwords, he and the company do not believe that any users' specific payment or password information has been compromised. The hackers did not access that information, he argued.

But still, while the attack reportedly only hit those using the music-sharing site through the Android app, the company is maintaining all precautions going forward.

"We have taken steps to strengthen our security systems in general and help protect you and your data - and we will continue to do so. We will be taking further actions in the coming days to increase security for our users," Stal said in a blog post.

He also added the company is to update its Android app in order to boost protection and remove any lingering affects the hackers may have caused. The new updates began this week and are expected to assist in maintaining the upmost cyber security for the company and its users.

The attack could hurt the company's near future outlook, despite having more than 40 million users in over 50 countries. With Spotify looking to file an IPO later this year, the attacks have dampened the mood currently on the company, but it should not be a major hindrance as the response from Spotify has been largely positive and transparent.

That is unlike eBay, who saw a massive security breach earlier this year affecting over 100 million users. The company initially believed that the hack was unsuccessful and did not, apparently, take immediate action to help users understand what had happened and to inform the public on the breach in a timely manner. The company is being investigated in three states by legislators and could see more investigations opened across the country.

"For a very long period of time we did not believe that there was any eBay customer data compromised," says eBay's Devin Wenig.

"When we found out that there was, we moved swiftly to disclose," he added.